Draft key retainer lock

ABSTRACT

A draft key retainer lock is disclosed which is easily and inexpensively manufactured. The horizontal extent of the retainer lock is nearly always less than the horizontal extent of the draft key, and thus can be used on both fixed sill and sliding sill railroad cars.

United States Patent [191 Niggemeier 'etal;

1111 3,802,577 Apr. 9, 1974 DRAFT KEY RETAINER LOCK I [75] Inventors: Joseph F. Niggemeier, St. Charles;

Richard P. Yeates, Bridgeton, both of M0., 7

[73] Assignee: -ACF Industries, Incorporated, New

York, NY. [22] Filed: Feb. 20,1973

[21] Appl. No.: 333,619

52 us. or 213/505, 85/5 N, 213/69 51 Int. Cl. F16b 21/10,-B 61 7/00 [58] Field of Search 213/505, 69; 85/5 N, 7,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS,

1/1928 Simonson 213/69 6/1930 Lewis 213 69 2,840,245 6/1958 Packard. 213/505 3,489,053 1/1970 Songer 213/505 3,673,914 7/1972 Randolph 85/5 N Primary ExaminerDrayton E. Hoffman Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Henry W. Cummings 57] ABSTRACT A draft key retainer look is disclosed which is easily and inexpensively manufactured. The horizontal extent of the retainer lock is nearly always less than the horizontal extent of the draft key, and thus can be used on both fixed'sill and sliding sill railroad cars,

I 40 Clairns, 13 Drawing Figures PATENIEDAPR 91914 3802.577 sum 2 or 2 FIG. 30.

FIG. 3b.

FIG 4b I 44 FIG. 3a.

FIG 4 FIG 4 DRAFT KEY RETAINER LOCK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to draft key retainer lock for railway cars. In railway car construction the coupler is held in engagement in the center sill by a horizontally running draft key which extends transversely through the coupler and'through opposite sides of the center sill. The draft key has an enlarged head at one end, and at the other side of the center sill a retainer is provided to insure that the draft key will remain in place and hold the coupler within the center sill. The retainer having an enlarged head is generally inserted through a vertically extending opening in the draft key and a cotter pin is inserted through transversely extending opening at the bottom portion of the retainer.

In order that the retainer will not be removed by coupling or jarring during transit, in addition to the cotter pin, a draft key retainer lock is now required by the AAR. Example s of retainer locking devices are found in US. Pats. Nos. 2,029,868; 2,627,198 and 3,673,914. In the constructions shown in these three patents, the draft key retainer lock comprises an elbow which extends around theouter portion of the draft key and is parallel to the center sill. Thistype' of construction is Satisfactory where the fixed or rigid sill coupler construction is utilized wherein usually rubber pads are utilized to cushion the couplers in the center sill.

However, with the sliding sill construction now utilized wherein a cushioning unit is provided in the center of the car (usually hydraulic) and the draft gears are attached to respective ends of the cushioning unit, the elbow construction shown in the foregoing patents interferes with the fixed sill. In other words, there is not sufficient room for the elbow to move within the fixed THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the prior art draft key and plan views of the retainer lock in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the draft key retainer assembly of the present invention. FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c are respectively end, side and plan views of the retainer lock in accordance with this embodiment of the invention;

sill when the sliding sill moves within the fixed sill during cushioning.

One construction shown in US. Pat. No. 3,489,053 utilizes a draft key retainerlock which extends around the side'of the key in a transverse direction perpendicular to the side sill. In this construction, a blank of nonuniform properties is required, and considerable material is obtained during blanking which'is expensive. In still another construction shown in US. Pat. No. 2,035,883, the retainer lock is inserted in the opening in the draft key with the retainer and then a locking tab is bent over the retainer head to insure retention. However, in this construction the retainer head must be provided with an opening for the lock, and is therefore expensive to form.

It therefore is an object of the present invention to provide a draft key retainer lock which will fit within the fixed sill in sliding sill cushioning coupler units.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a draft key retainer lock which can be utilized on both sliding sill coupler units and on fixed sill coupler FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the draft key retainer assembly of the present invention. FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c are respectively end, side and plan views of the retainer lock in accordance with this embodiment of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A draft key retainer lock is disclosed which is easily and inexpensively manufactured. The horizontal extent of the retainer lock is'nearly always less than the horizontal extent'of the draft key, and thus can be used on both fixed sill and sliding sill railroad cars.

The retainer lock comprises a flange portion adjacent the side sill or AAR washer, a horizontal lock portion through which the draft key retainer passes and a tab portion integral with either the horizontal lock portion or the flange portion which engages the head of the retainer to hold the same in place in the opening in the draft key.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 illustrates the most common prior art construction. The draft key 11 is shown passing through the sliding center sill 13 and through a portion of the coupler unit 15. A retainer washer 17 about one-half inch thick is also shown as now required by the AAR.

This construction utilizes a retainer 21 passing through an opening (not shown) in the draft key. The retainer passes through respective openings (not shown) in upper portion 25 and in lower portion 27 thereof in the retainer lock 23. A retainer lock tab 29 is bent over the retainer 21 and at the bottom of the retainer a cotter pin (not shown) is also usually provided through an opening in the retainer. 1

It will be seen that the outermost portion 28 of the retainer lock 23 extends outwardly too far to pass through the fixed center sill 10.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the problem of interference between the fixed center sill and the retainer 23 is overcome. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2, 2a, 2b, and 2c, the draft key 150 passes through the sliding center sill 130 and through a washer 170. The draft key retainer lock comprises a plate or flange portion 112, for example, about 0.06 to about 0.15 inches thickhaving an opening therein 1 14 through which the draft key passes. The retainer locking portion 116 is affixed to the flange portion 115 and extends horizontally at 117 where it engages the upper surface 152 of draft key 150. The retainer then extends vertically at 118'. A tab portion 119 having an extension 120 engages'the head portion 123 of retainer 122. Retainer head 123 engages horizontal portion 117 as the shank portion of retainer 122 passes through the opening 117a in horizontal portion 116. A cotter pin (not shown) may be provided in the lower portion of pin 122 in the usual manner. It will be seen by the present invention that the draft key 150 and retainer 110 pass through fixed center sill 101 without interference.

It will be noted from consideration of FIGS. 2a through that horizontal portion 117 and vertical portion 118 may be formed out of the stamping 125, resulting in an opening therein 111. If desired, the horizontal portion 117 and vertical portion 118 could be formed of one piece and welded or otherwise integrally affixed to flange portion 112, in which case opening 111 would not be present.

In accordance with another embodiment of the pres ent invention shown in FIGS. 3, 3a, 3b, and 30, a retainer assembly indicated generally at comprises a standard AAR washer 33, a retainer lock indicated generally at 40 and a retainer adapted to pass through an opening (not shown) in the outer portion 32 of draft key 31. The draft key 31 holds in place a coupling unit within the center sill as described in regard to FIGS. 1 and 2 above.

In this embodiment retainer lock having, for example, a thickness of about 0.06 to 0.15 inches and comprising a flange 42 having an'opening therein 44 through which the draft key 31 passes. The lock further comprises a horizontal portion 46 having an opening therein 47 through which the shank portion of retainer 35 passes after passing through draft key 31. The lock flange portion 42 has a tab portion 48 which may be bent over as indicated to hold the head 36 of retainer 35 in place.

If desired, flange portion 42, horizontal portion 46 and tab portion 48 can all be formed from the same piece of metal by bending the horizontal portion 46 out of the center of a single stamping, at the same time forming opening 44.

In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 4, 4a, 4b, and 4c, the washer and retainer lock are made integral as indicated generally at 52. The combination washerretainer preferably has a thickness of about 0.50 to about 0.75 inches and comprises a.flange portion 53 having an opening therein 54 through which the draft key 51 passes. A lock portion 55 is integrally attached to the flange portion 53, for example, by welding. The lock portion has-a horizontal portion 46 which engages the surface 51a of draft key 51. Lock portion 55 also has a vertical portion 58 having an upper tab portion 59. The shank portion of retainer 60 passes through an opening 57 in horizontal portion 56 as illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4c. Retainer 60 has a head 61 which is engaged by tab portion 59 of washer-retainer 52.

The combination washer-retainer lock could also be made integral by appropriately affixing, for example, by welding together washer 170 and retainer lock 110 shown in FIG. 2.

All of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 enable the draft key and retainer assembly to fit into the standard fixed center sill because the retainer locks extend horizontally from the flange portion a distance less than about 2% inches, which is a shorter horizontal extension than nearly all draft keys. Preferably the locks do not extend horizontally from the flange portion more than about 2 /2 inches. Thus the retainer locks of the present invention may be used on both fixed sill and sliding sill cars.

It will also be apparent that the retainer locks are easy to manufacture and are inexpensive, and can be used with, or, if desired, made integral with the retainer washers required by the AAR.

What is claimed is:

1. A draft key retainer lock comprising: a flange portion having an opening therein through which a railroad car draft key is adapted to pass horizontally; a generally horizontal lock portion extending generally perpendicular from said flange portion having an opening therein through which the shank portion of a draft key retainer is adapted to pass vertically; a generally vertical lock portion comprising a tab adapted to be bent in a generally horizontal direction to engage a head portion of said draft key retainer to hold the same within an opening in said draft key and within the opening in said lock horizontal portion; said lock horizontal portion extending from said flange portion a distance not exceeding about 2% inches.

2. A draft key retainer lock according to claim 1 in which said horizontal lock portion is adapted to engage the upper surface of said draft key.

3. A draft key retainer lock according to claim 1 in which said horizontal lock portion is adapted to engage the lower surface of said draft key.

4. A draft key retainer lock according to claim 2 wherein said vertical lock portion is integral with said horizontal lock portion.

5. A draft key retainer lock according to claim 3 wherein said vertical lock portion is integral with said flange portion.

6. A draft key retainer lock according to claim 2 wherein said retainer lock is made from a single piece of metal.

7. A draft key retainer lock according to claim 3 wherein said retainer lock is made from a single piece of metal.

8. A draft key retainer lock according to claim 6 wherein said flange portion has sufficient thickness to function as the washer required in draft key assembly by the AAR.

9. A draft key retainer lock according to claim 7 wherein said flange portion has sufficient thickness to function as the washer required in draft key retainer assemblies by the AAR.

10. A draft key retainer lock according to claim 1 wherein said horizontal lock portion extends'from said flange portion a distance not exceeding about 2% inches.

11. A combination draft key retainer lock and washer comprising:

a flange portion of sufficient thickness to satisfy the AAR requirements for a draft key washer having an opening therein through which a railroad car draft key is adapted to pass horizontally;

a generally horizontal lock portion extending generally perpendicular from said flange portion having an opening therein through which the shank portion of a draft key retainer is adapted to pass vertically;

a generally vertical lock portion comprising a tab adapted to be bent in a generally horizontal direc- 12. A combination draft key retainer lock and washer according to claim 11 in which said horizontallock portion is adapted to engage the upper surface of said draft key.

13. A combination draft key retainer lock and washer according to claim 11 in which said horizontal lock portion is adapted to engage the lower surface of said draft key. I

14. A combination draft key retainer lock and washer according to claim 12 wherein said vertical lock portion is integral with said horizontally extending portion.

15. A combination draft key retainer lock and washer according to claim 13 wherein said vertical lock portion is integral with said flange portion.

16. A combination draft key retainer lock and washer according to claim 14 wherein said retainer lockwasher is made from a single piece of metal.

17. A combination draft key retainer lock and washer according to claim 12 wherein said retainer lockwasher is made from a single piece of metal.

18. A combination draft key retainer lock and washer according to claim 11 wherein said horizontal lock portion extends from said flange portion a distance not greater than about 2 /2 inches.

' 19. A draft key retainer assembly comprising:

a draft gear mounted in a center sill;

a draft key extending transversely through said draft gear and center sill;

a draft key retainer extending vertically through an opening in said key on one side of said center sill;

a retainer lock comprising:

23. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 21 wherein said vertical lock portion is integral with said horizontal lock portion.

24. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 22 wherein aid vertical lock portion is integral with said flange portion.

25. A- draft key retainer assembly according to claim 19 wherein said retainer lock is made from a single piece of metal.

a flange portion having an opening therein through I which said draftkey passes horizontally;

a generally horizontal lock portion extending generally perpendicular'from said flange portion having an opening therein through which the shank portion of said draft key retainer passes vertically;

a generally vertical lock portion comprising a tab adapted to be bent in a generally horizontal direction to engage a head portion of said draft key retainer to hold the same within the opening in said draft key and within the opening in said horizontal lock portion;

said horizontal lock portion extending from said I flange portion a distance less than said draft key extends horizontally from said flange portion.

20. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 19 including a washer mounted adjacent the side of said center sill through which said draft key passes.

21. A draft k'ey retainer assembly according to claim 19 in which said horizontal lock portion engages the upper surface of said draft key. I

22. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 19 in which said horizontal lock portion engages the lower surface of said draft key.

26. A draft keyretainer assembly according to claim 23 wherein said flange portion and said washer are integral.

27. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 24 wherein said flange portion and said washer are integral.

28. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 20 wherein a cotter pin is provided in an opening in the lower portion of said pin.

29. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 25 wherein said flange portion is generally horseshoeshaped.

30. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 19 wherein said horizontal lock portion extends from said flange portion a distance not greater than about 2% inches.

31. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 30 wherein said horizontal lock portion extends from said flange portion a distance not greater than about 2 /2 inches.

32. A draft key retainer assembly comprising:

a draft key extending transversely through a draft gear mounted in a center sill and through the center sill;

a draft key retainer extending vertically through an opening in said draft key at one side of said center sill; combination draft key retainer lock and washer comprising:

a flange portion having a thickness sufficient to satisfy the AAR washer thickness requirement and an opening therein through which said key passes horizontally;

a generally horizontal lock portion extending generally perpendicular from said flange portion having an opening therein through which the shank portion of said draft key retainer passes vertically; generally vertical lock portion comprising a tab adapted to be bent in a generally horizontal direction to engage the head portion of said draft key retainerto hold the same within the opening in said draft key and within the opening in said horizontal lock portion;

said horizontal portion extending from said flange portion a distance less than said draft key extends horizontally from said flange portion.

33. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 32 wherein said horizontal lock portion extends from said flange portion a distance not greater than about 2% inches.

34. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 32 in which the horizontal lock portion'of said retainerkey. V

36. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 32 wherein said vertical lock portion is integral with said horizontal lock portion.

37. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 35 wherein said vertical lock portion is integral with said flange portion.

38. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 36 wherein said retainer lock-washer is made from a through an opening in the lower portion thereof.

g amw miss STA- s TENT' owes CERTIFICATE; 0F CORRECNN Dated April 9, 197M po-aoso (5/69) mum No. 3, ,577

Inventor) Joseph F. Niggemeier and Richard P. Yeates It is certified that error appears in the above-idientifiefi patent am that said Letters Patent ere hereby corrected as shown below:

"portion #6" should be portion 56 Jj "assembly" should' be .ess-emblies "aid" should be said Column 3; line '53; Column l, line +7, (claim 8 Column 6, line 5, (claim 2M Signed sealed this 10th clay of September 1974.

(SEAL) Attesc:

MCCOY M. v GIBSON," JR; c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting' Officer Commissioner of Patents lama: 

1. A draft key retainer lock comprising: a flange portion having an opening therein through which a railroad car draft key is adapted to pass horizontally; a generally horizontal lock portion extending generally perpendicular from said flange portion having an opening therein through which the shank portion of a draft key retainer is adapted to pass vertically; a generally vertical lock portion comprising a tab adapted to be bent in a generally horizontal direction to engage a head portion of said draft key retainer to hold the same within an opening in said draft key and withIn the opening in said lock horizontal portion; said lock horizontal portion extending from said flange portion a distance not exceeding about 2 3/4 inches.
 2. A draft key retainer lock according to claim 1 in which said horizontal lock portion is adapted to engage the upper surface of said draft key.
 3. A draft key retainer lock according to claim 1 in which said horizontal lock portion is adapted to engage the lower surface of said draft key.
 4. A draft key retainer lock according to claim 2 wherein said vertical lock portion is integral with said horizontal lock portion.
 5. A draft key retainer lock according to claim 3 wherein said vertical lock portion is integral with said flange portion.
 6. A draft key retainer lock according to claim 2 wherein said retainer lock is made from a single piece of metal.
 7. A draft key retainer lock according to claim 3 wherein said retainer lock is made from a single piece of metal.
 8. A draft key retainer lock according to claim 6 wherein said flange portion has sufficient thickness to function as the washer required in draft key assemblies by the AAR.
 9. A draft key retainer lock according to claim 7 wherein said flange portion has sufficient thickness to function as the washer required in draft key retainer assemblies by the AAR.
 10. A draft key retainer lock according to claim 1 wherein said horizontal lock portion extends from said flange portion a distance not exceeding about 2 1/2 inches.
 11. A combination draft key retainer lock and washer comprising: a flange portion of sufficient thickness to satisfy the AAR requirements for a draft key washer having an opening therein through which a railroad car draft key is adapted to pass horizontally; a generally horizontal lock portion extending generally perpendicular from said flange portion having an opening therein through which the shank portion of a draft key retainer is adapted to pass vertically; a generally vertical lock portion comprising a tab adapted to be bent in a generally horizontal direction to engage the head portion of said draft key retainer to hold the same within an opening in said draft key and within the opening in said horizontal lock portion; said horizontal lock portion extending from said flange portion a distance less than about 2 3/4 inches.
 12. A combination draft key retainer lock and washer according to claim 11 in which said horizontal lock portion is adapted to engage the upper surface of said draft key.
 13. A combination draft key retainer lock and washer according to claim 11 in which said horizontal lock portion is adapted to engage the lower surface of said draft key.
 14. A combination draft key retainer lock and washer according to claim 12 wherein said vertical lock portion is integral with said horizontally extending portion.
 15. A combination draft key retainer lock and washer according to claim 13 wherein said vertical lock portion is integral with said flange portion.
 16. A combination draft key retainer lock and washer according to claim 14 wherein said retainer lock-washer is made from a single piece of metal.
 17. A combination draft key retainer lock and washer according to claim 12 wherein said retainer lock-washer is made from a single piece of metal.
 18. A combination draft key retainer lock and washer according to claim 11 wherein said horizontal lock portion extends from said flange portion a distance not greater than about 2 1/2 inches.
 19. A draft key retainer assembly comprising: a draft gear mounted in a center sill; a draft key extending transversely through said draft gear and center sill; a draft key retainer extending vertically through an opening in said key on one side of said center sill; a retainer lock comprising: a flange portion having an opening therein through which said draft key passes horizontally; a generally horizontal lock portion extending generally perpendicular from said fLange portion having an opening therein through which the shank portion of said draft key retainer passes vertically; a generally vertical lock portion comprising a tab adapted to be bent in a generally horizontal direction to engage a head portion of said draft key retainer to hold the same within the opening in said draft key and within the opening in said horizontal lock portion; said horizontal lock portion extending from said flange portion a distance less than said draft key extends horizontally from said flange portion.
 20. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 19 including a washer mounted adjacent the side of said center sill through which said draft key passes.
 21. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 19 in which said horizontal lock portion engages the upper surface of said draft key.
 22. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 19 in which said horizontal lock portion engages the lower surface of said draft key.
 23. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 21 wherein said vertical lock portion is integral with said horizontal lock portion.
 24. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 22 wherein said vertical lock portion is integral with said flange portion.
 25. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 19 wherein said retainer lock is made from a single piece of metal.
 26. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 23 wherein said flange portion and said washer are integral.
 27. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 24 wherein said flange portion and said washer are integral.
 28. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 20 wherein a cotter pin is provided in an opening in the lower portion of said pin.
 29. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 25 wherein said flange portion is generally horseshoe-shaped.
 30. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 19 wherein said horizontal lock portion extends from said flange portion a distance not greater than about 2 3/4 inches.
 31. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 30 wherein said horizontal lock portion extends from said flange portion a distance not greater than about 2 1/2 inches.
 32. A draft key retainer assembly comprising: a draft key extending transversely through a draft gear mounted in a center sill and through the center sill; a draft key retainer extending vertically through an opening in said draft key at one side of said center sill; a combination draft key retainer lock and washer comprising: a flange portion having a thickness sufficient to satisfy the AAR washer thickness requirement and an opening therein through which said key passes horizontally; a generally horizontal lock portion extending generally perpendicular from said flange portion having an opening therein through which the shank portion of said draft key retainer passes vertically; a generally vertical lock portion comprising a tab adapted to be bent in a generally horizontal direction to engage the head portion of said draft key retainer to hold the same within the opening in said draft key and within the opening in said horizontal lock portion; said horizontal portion extending from said flange portion a distance less than said draft key extends horizontally from said flange portion.
 33. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 32 wherein said horizontal lock portion extends from said flange portion a distance not greater than about 2 3/4 inches.
 34. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 32 in which the horizontal lock portion of said retainer lock-washer engages the upper surface of said draft key.
 35. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 32 in which the horizontal lock portion of said retainer lock-washer engages the lower surface of said draft key.
 36. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 32 wherein said vertical lock portion is integral with said horizontal lock Portion.
 37. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 35 wherein said vertical lock portion is integral with said flange portion.
 38. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 36 wherein said retainer lock-washer is made from a single piece of metal.
 39. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 37 wherein said retainer lock-washer is made from a single piece of metal.
 40. A draft key retainer assembly according to claim 32 wherein said retainer has a cotter pin passing through an opening in the lower portion thereof. 